This scoundrel is a bit of a swordsman.

Chapter 184 The Secrets Gradually Unveiled

Xiao Xingchen's words were like a thunderclap, exploding in everyone's ears and startling them all.

After all, how could one understand the profound meaning of his words without personally experiencing the horror beneath the ancestral temple?

"You mean there's a problem with the ancestral temple?"

Yan Yi was the first to come to her senses, her questioning voice like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples.

"I didn't say that."

Xiao Xingchen originally wanted to put on a profound and unfathomable appearance, but he was so shocked by the little monk Miaowu's words that he almost lost his soul and his body began to tremble involuntarily.

"Damn, little monk, you're really something else! Where did you hear that the ancestral temple is related to the Silent Temple?"

Xiao Xingchen's exaggerated expression made it difficult to tell whether it was real or fake. However, Miaowu's words were like a fire, reigniting the doubts in everyone's hearts.

"That's right, little monk. The Silent Temple is outside the city. Don't make things up. What could possibly be the connection between the two?"

The fourth prince immediately retorted, and the others shook their heads in disbelief.

The Silent Temple is not a secret place, nor is the ancestral temple a mysterious place; the two seem to be separated by vast distances and have no connection whatsoever.

They all believed that Miaowu came from the Western Regions and that he was unaware of the situation in the Great Qian Dynasty.

However, some people still had doubts, because they knew that there was a Silent Temple in Burning City, and the people there claimed that the Silent Temple of the Great Qian Dynasty was fake.

"Perhaps these matters should not be discussed here any further. Ladies and gentlemen, I am hosting a banquet at Huayu Pavilion. Those who are interested may come with me."

Xiao Xingchen felt that the people from various countries were unfathomable, especially the little monk Miaowu.

In their previous life, Miaowu was already renowned. Their arrival this time must have a unique purpose. Just as Manghuang was after the map of the Northern Region, other countries must also have their own plans.

However, these secrets obviously cannot be revealed here and now.

Now that he had achieved his goal of showing off, he felt it was necessary to gather these people together and thoroughly investigate what was so special about the Great Qian Dynasty.

This gathering of poets was shrouded in mystery, and coupled with the enigmatic nature of the Houtu Festival, he was still completely bewildered.

Therefore, he made a decisive move and no longer waited for Emperor Wu to come out to stop him. He rushed straight towards Huayu Tower like an arrow released from a bow. After a moment of thought, the others also flew towards Huayu Tower like birds. Even Wu Xie was silent for a moment before flying lightly through the air towards Huayu Tower.

At this moment, everyone on the Talent Platform seemed to be of one mind. They knew that each of them possessed the secrets of the Great Qian Dynasty. If they shared them with each other, they would surely reap the greatest benefits during this trip to the Great Qian Dynasty. And Xiao Xingchen had already provided this opportunity, so how could they miss it?

Ruoxue had already noticed the unusual situation on Xiao Xingchen's side. Although she couldn't see the specific content of their conversation from the top of Huayu Tower, she knew that they were gathering here when she saw a large number of people flying over with Xiao Xingchen.

"Someone, quickly tidy up Mo Ran Tang and come with me to welcome our guests."

Those who came were all envoys from various countries and dignitaries of the Great Qian Dynasty, so she naturally could not be impolite and solemnly gave them instructions. Moreover, from her own perspective, since Xiao Xingchen ascended the Platform of Talents, intelligence information had been spreading like wildfire from the platform, with intelligence agents constantly leaving like birds and then carrying the news back to their masters like megaphones.

She could foresee that the people coming were not just those she had seen; perhaps some peerless masters hidden in Yong'an would also be drawn by the news.

"Ruoxue, prepare a spacious hall for me. Today I'm going to make a good fool of these people."

"It's all prepared, but are you sure you're confident? Don't let things get out of control at the last minute."

As soon as Xiao Xingchen appeared, Ruoxue came to greet him like a light butterfly. She looked behind her with worry. All those who followed her were extraordinary people. The slightest mistake could plunge them into an abyss of no return.

"Don't worry, I have enough leverage. By the way, if those reckless guys from Great Xia come, please invite them up as well. Those few people are simply audacious, daring to wander around outside. If it weren't for the large number of people around today, I think Emperor Wu's assassins would have already killed them."

“I’ve noticed that there are many surveillance cameras around them now, and if we don’t intervene, they may not see the sun rise tomorrow.”

"This is a real headache. Let them all come together. There are so many people here, I want to see if I can push them to Dali and Dayan. With them around, perhaps Emperor Wu will be more cautious."

After a brief explanation, a flood of people surged in. The first to arrive was surprisingly Li Jinxian of Dali, which astonished Ruoxue. If he remembered correctly, during yesterday's Heavenly Sword Competition, Li Jinxian had appeared as a weak scholar, utterly lacking in martial prowess. Yet today, he was the first to arrive, having traversed the void. Clearly, this man had been concealing his true strength.

"Li Jinxian of Dali, I have long heard of Xiao Xingchen's great name, it is as famous as thunder in my ears."

"Stop with the act. Find yourself a seat. You were just looking at me with such hatred, you wanted to tear me to pieces. I'm not blind, I can see that. Don't give me that crap. Everyone, make yourselves at home. Once we're out this door, it's up to you what you want to do."

Xiao Xingchen showed no mercy whatsoever. The idea that one shouldn't hit a smiling face was utter nonsense to him. Li Jinxian, who had been basking in the glory of displaying his strength, was instantly chilled to the bone by these words, his face turning ashen.

"Good, I admire your arrogance. If your strength could match your arrogance, I would be very pleased."

Having said that, he flicked his sleeves and, like a defeated rooster, walked to the side and sat down.

"Li Jinxian, you are still so impatient. Xiao Xingchen is a young sword immortal, how could he be afraid of you? Yan Yi, greetings."

Yan Yi followed closely behind, her gaze towards Xiao Xingchen full of smiles, like a flower blooming in spring.

"You don't need to smooth things over, just find a place to sit down."

However, her radiant smile was met with Xiao Xingchen's cold words, as biting as the winter wind, which startled Yan Yi.

Seeing this, Li Jinxian couldn't help but burst into laughter, "Haha, interesting, Yan Yi, this is probably the first man who dares to give you attitude, right? Truly interesting."

"Pah! Li Jinxian, shut up, or I'll tear your mouth apart!"

Yan Yi's lips twitched slightly, and she sighed inwardly. How could this man be like this? He had absolutely no manners.

Ruoxue watched from the side and couldn't help but laugh out loud. When this straight man got stubborn, he could really leave people speechless.

However, when the young monk Miaowu appeared, Xiao Xingchen's dog-like face instantly transformed into a fawning expression of reunion with an old friend.

"Damn, little monk brother, you've finally arrived! I've been waiting for you so long! Come on, I've saved you the best seat. Tonight, we're going to drink until we drop!"

The young monk was completely taken aback by his enthusiasm and stood there awkwardly for a moment.

Xiao Xingchen, however, showed no restraint, grabbing his arm and pulling him inside. Her passionate manner left everyone speechless.

"Holy crap, is this guy... you know?" Li Jinxian looked him over with suspicion, then glanced at himself, wondering if he was really less attractive than a monk.

"Your idea is utterly despicable."

Yan Yi laughed disdainfully, but then she thought, why would Xiao Xingchen be so interested in this monk?

Moreover, Miaowu had said that the ancestral temple was related to the Silent Temple. Could it be that...? Her expression became increasingly solemn. Thinking of the Silent Temple outside Burning City, a terrible thought arose in her mind.

This was the second time the eldest princess had stepped into the Flower Language Pavilion, and she felt a deep disgust for the place, much like she would for a stinking swamp.

However, she couldn't suppress her curiosity and wanted to find out what tricks Xiao Xingchen was up to.

Ruoxue showed the eldest princess considerable respect, personally going out to greet her. After all, she was a Ghost Swordsman, and once her mysterious and unpredictable strength was revealed, she would immediately become one of the top figures in the Nine Heavens Continent.

Her age was like a dazzling pearl, radiating brilliant light; youth was her greatest asset. Although she was no less skilled, the unique aspects of the Ghost Sword were worlds apart from her own swordsmanship.

People in the world might dare to offend a Heavenly Sword, but no one would dare to easily provoke a Ghost Sword.

The silent assassination brought a fear that was like the claws of a demon, gripping the heart and sending chills down one's spine.

Once targeted by the Ghost Sword, even death may become a luxury.

"I didn't expect it would be you who came out to greet me personally. Xiao Xingchen certainly has a lot of influence! I'm quite curious about the relationship between you two. He's only just arrived in Yong'an, yet he's already receiving your help."

Huangfu Lingxue and Ruoxue walked side by side, one after the other, up to the Flower Language Pavilion. This scene was like two dazzling stars streaking across the sky, attracting countless eyes. One was heroic and spirited, like a red plum blossom standing proudly against the frost and snow; the other was graceful and charming, like a delicate and beautiful rose. The appearance of these two stunning beauties naturally became the focus of attention for all the men present.

"Hehe, Your Highness is overthinking it. As things stand, he is not your enemy. In fact, because of the late Empress, we might even become friends. Having a friend like me is a sure-fire way to make money for you."

"But it is really difficult for me to get to know people who are not well-known."

"Your Highness, the waters of Yong'an run deep. You are new here and need to conserve your strength. If Ghost Sword is exposed, it could bring about annihilation."

In this respect, Xiao Xingchen can lend you a hand.

Ruoxue's words struck Huangfu Lingxue like a heavy hammer, causing her to pause in her tracks.

He then pressed on, asking, "Is he also new to Yong'an?"

"No, haven't you noticed that since he appeared, everything has revolved around him like stars surrounding the moon? He is like an insignificant pawn, yet he is stirring up the world's affairs invisibly, like the butterfly effect. He and I even experienced it together in the ancestral temple."

Ruoxue's tone was unusually solemn, as if she were carrying a heavy burden. She spoke these words to the princess at Xiaoxingchen's behest.

Because the princess would have to share his burdens at the upcoming banquet, this was a gesture of his sincere devotion offered on his own initiative.

"The ancestral temple, could it be that back then..."

"Indeed, we stumbled upon it by accident. It hides a shocking secret, like Pandora's box. Once the ancestral temple is opened, the entire history of the Great Qian Dynasty will be rewritten. Therefore, Your Highness must stand on our side later. Some information can be made public, while others must not be. He is precisely grasping this balance."